The EFL is today launching its inaugural innovation programme, the EFL Innovation Lab, in partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, to look for groundbreaking solutions that will deliver tangible value to the EFL and its 72 member Clubs.
The EFL Innovation Lab will seek to unearth solutions which support Clubs across a number of areas of vital importance, including connecting with the next generation of fans, enhancing operational processes and unlocking the potential of data.
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For innovative suppliers, working with the EFL offers a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth by collaborating with several Clubs from the world's original league football competition.
Over a 10-week immersive programme, selected suppliers will receive mentorship from experienced business leaders, gain insights from industry experts, and have the chance to pilot their solutions with several Clubs. This experience will enable them to scale their businesses and establish long-term collaborations with the EFL and its Clubs while contributing to a lasting culture of innovation throughout the EFL.
Since its inception, innovation has always been at the core of the EFL’s mission, and the launch of this Innovation Lab is an important milestone for the League, as it looks to support its Clubs to operate more sustainably and provide a first-class fan experience.
EFL Chair, Rick Parry, said: “We’re incredibly excited by the potential of the Innovation Lab, which will be a key priority for the League throughout this season. We’re always striving to help Clubs to operate more sustainably and efficiently, and find new ways to engage with their supporters, and the Innovation Lab will make a major contribution to this work.
“It’s easy to talk about innovation, but the real challenge is making it happen. We’re delighted to be working with L Marks, who have a proven track record of unlocking opportunities and driving growth for many of the world’s leading brands and organisations.”
Over the past few months, L Marks ran several workshops with the EFL and a selection of its Clubs to identify their top priorities and the areas that would most benefit from the programme.
The EFL has identified four key focus areas and is inviting applications in the following categories:
Next Generation of Fans
This category is looking for solutions that future-proof the EFL and EFL Clubs, with a particular focus on creating engagement with younger, more diverse demographics. We are seeking innovative solutions to deepen fan connections, elevate matchday experience, and create a more inclusive fan community, helping to future-proof the sport for generations to come.
Delivering Process Excellence
Our goal is to ensure we consistently operate at peak efficiency to provide the best service to our fans. This category focuses on optimising both matchday staffing and internal club operations. We’re seeking practical solutions that enhance employee management, streamline workflows, and digitise manual activities to deliver process excellence across the EFL and its Clubs.
Unlocking Data Insights
For this category, the EFL and its Clubs are actively seeking solutions to unlock the full potential of our data. We are looking for solutions that can deliver actionable insights and inform decision-making across all areas. Technologies of interest include data capture and collation, advanced data analytics, and tools for processing fan feedback.
Wildcard
The Wildcard category is truly open. The EFL is constantly seeking groundbreaking solutions that could redefine the experience around football. This is your chance to bring forward a game-changing solution that challenges the status quo and elevates how Clubs engage with fans and the community.
The EFL is now on the search for innovative suppliers, start-ups, and scale-ups that could address one of the key categories that are being targeted in this process.
Daniel Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of L Marks, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the EFL and to launch the EFL Innovation Lab. Through this inaugural programme, we will discover the world’s most innovative suppliers, delivering unparalleled value to all 72 Football Clubs.
“It’s fantastic to see the EFL’s commitment to building a different kind of football league and their willingness to continuously explore new avenues for innovation. We are excited to see how this collaboration will not only transform the EFL and its Clubs but also inspire the wider football industry to embrace innovation.”
To apply, please click here.
Applications will close on Sunday 24th November 2024. Those who are selected will begin the process in 2025, facilitated by corporate innovation specialist, L Marks.
Further information on the EFL Innovation Lab and how to apply can be found on the website:efl.com/innovationlab.